noosa hawk mad
Norm Smith Medallist
http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/tabid/4742/Default.aspx?newsid=60380
Michael Osborne looks upfield for options
IT’S BUDDY Franklin who attracts the majority of Hawks’ headlines these days but teammate Michael Osborne says the rest of the forward group is happy to dwell under the radar.
What’s more, he insisted that the down to earth nature of the forward group as a whole meant the star full forward was in no danger of getting a swollen head.
“We get into him a bit when he’s in the papers,” Osborne laughed.
“We counted that he was in the papers 11 days in a row at one stage which is a record I think … so it almost became a full time job to keep him grounded at one point.”
While media attention isn’t always positive, Osborne revels in the attention paid to Buddy on the field.
“He usually attracts two opponents so he’s doing a wonderful job still kicking the amount of goals that he does and still having the impact on the game that he does.
“It’s inspirational that he can play like that. For the other forwards, when the opposition isn’t keeping a close eye on them, it frees them up well and they can sneak under the radar making their job a bit easier.”
Much praised for their defensive work ethics, Osborne and Rising Star nominee Cyril Rioli place a high value on stats such as ‘one percenters’ rather than seeking plaudits for big goal tallies.
“With me and Cyril we’re short and close to the ground so part of our job is to get to the fall of the ball and apply pressure if we don’t get it,” Osborne said.
“It’s a big part of our game. When you do force a turnover and score from it, it’s harder work so you do appreciate it more.”
It’s that team ethic that Osborne believes is encapsulated by skipper Sam Mitchell’s decision not to contest the AFL’s tripping charge.
In doing so the midfielder, who was second favourite to win the Brownlow Medal, is ineligible for the award but is free to line up for the Hawks’ in their pivotal round 10 clash against the third-placed Western Bulldogs.
“He’s been selfless and shown that what he wants is team success. For him to be in the team we’re definitely a better side.”
Away from football Osborne is studying for a diploma in finance but he insists that there’s only one figure he cares about this year – and that’s the number of games he plays.
The 25-year-old’s career has been much interrupted by injury since he was selected in the 2001 AFL rookie draft, restricting him to 85 games.
“When you’re injured and training just to stay fit and rehabilitate your injury and you don’t have any prospect of playing football for the rest of the year, it’s hard times,” he said.
“It would be great if I could get through the year and play all 22 home and away games. I’ve never done that before. But I’m just going to take every week as it comes.”
Has been in career best form this year my Dads favorite player because of his attack on the footy! Well done Ozzie
IT’S BUDDY Franklin who attracts the majority of Hawks’ headlines these days but teammate Michael Osborne says the rest of the forward group is happy to dwell under the radar.
What’s more, he insisted that the down to earth nature of the forward group as a whole meant the star full forward was in no danger of getting a swollen head.
“We get into him a bit when he’s in the papers,” Osborne laughed.
“We counted that he was in the papers 11 days in a row at one stage which is a record I think … so it almost became a full time job to keep him grounded at one point.”
While media attention isn’t always positive, Osborne revels in the attention paid to Buddy on the field.
“He usually attracts two opponents so he’s doing a wonderful job still kicking the amount of goals that he does and still having the impact on the game that he does.
“It’s inspirational that he can play like that. For the other forwards, when the opposition isn’t keeping a close eye on them, it frees them up well and they can sneak under the radar making their job a bit easier.”
Much praised for their defensive work ethics, Osborne and Rising Star nominee Cyril Rioli place a high value on stats such as ‘one percenters’ rather than seeking plaudits for big goal tallies.
“With me and Cyril we’re short and close to the ground so part of our job is to get to the fall of the ball and apply pressure if we don’t get it,” Osborne said.
“It’s a big part of our game. When you do force a turnover and score from it, it’s harder work so you do appreciate it more.”
It’s that team ethic that Osborne believes is encapsulated by skipper Sam Mitchell’s decision not to contest the AFL’s tripping charge.
In doing so the midfielder, who was second favourite to win the Brownlow Medal, is ineligible for the award but is free to line up for the Hawks’ in their pivotal round 10 clash against the third-placed Western Bulldogs.
“He’s been selfless and shown that what he wants is team success. For him to be in the team we’re definitely a better side.”
Away from football Osborne is studying for a diploma in finance but he insists that there’s only one figure he cares about this year – and that’s the number of games he plays.
The 25-year-old’s career has been much interrupted by injury since he was selected in the 2001 AFL rookie draft, restricting him to 85 games.
“When you’re injured and training just to stay fit and rehabilitate your injury and you don’t have any prospect of playing football for the rest of the year, it’s hard times,” he said.
“It would be great if I could get through the year and play all 22 home and away games. I’ve never done that before. But I’m just going to take every week as it comes.”
Has been in career best form this year my Dads favorite player because of his attack on the footy! Well done Ozzie
